London Film Festival screening is a monster debut for director Tom Green

A monster of a story: cinematographer Christopher Ross with Tom Green (right) on the set of Monsters Dark Continent

The London director of the sequel to low-budget hit movie Monsters today said he was "really excited" by the premiere of his first feature film.

Monsters: Dark Continent, directed by Tom Green, will have its world premiere tonight at the Empire cinema in Leicester Square as part of the London Film Festival.

Its predecessor, set in the aftermath of an alien invasion, became a surprise box office success despite being made on a budget of around £500,000, propelling its writer and director Gareth Edwards into the Hollywood limelight. He has gone on to direct the new version of Godzilla.

The sequel is set 10 years after the alien invasion, when the army is drafted in to tackle a new insurgency in the Middle East.

Green, 34, said: “It’s incredible to have a film like this on one of the biggest screens in London. There’s always a pressure on making a film, whatever it is, especially on a first feature film. I wanted the film to be raw, gutsy, visceral.

Following in the footsteps of someone who’s been so innovative and gone on to direct blockbusters did feel a bit intimidating. Having shown the film to Gareth he seems proud of the legacy.”

Green, who directed Bafta-winning Channel 4 show Misfits, said his budget had been a “tiny bit” bigger than for the first film — but he had very little time to shoot.

Johnny Harris, 40, who stars in the film, said: “I would put this up with anyone’s feature debut ever.”

Edwards, who was executive producer, said: “Tom Green has taken the organic film-making spirit of the original and created something incredibly bold ... The visual effects and cinematography are impeccable.”

A new Ghostbusters film is officially on the way — with the director hinting it could have an all-female cast. Paul Feig, who directed 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, tweeted: “It’s official. I’m making a new Ghostbusters... and yes, it will star hilarious women.”

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The London director of the sequel to low-budget hit movie Monsters said he was "really excited" by the premiere of his first feature film

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